Interlaken - Bulle
87km, 7hrs 03mins, 2302m total climb
We were up early and headed to the
buffet breakfast which was pretty good for a hostel and they even had
the shaved Bauernbort Swiss cheese that Johanna likes. We stocked up
on Nutella toast as we knew it would be a tough day. I am sure these
places secretly cringe when they see two cyclist coming into the
buffet breakfast.
The weather was getting the better of
us now, we checked the forecast for today last night and it showed
100% chance of rain for the afternoon and evening, so we had to find
a hotel. We splashed out on a 80Euro Best Western in Bulle to avoid a
very uncomfortable camp and just looked forward to the comfort
instead. We are almost breaking even for the budget (not too far
over), but all these hotels due to bad weather are crippling. We will
be purely tenting as soon as the weather gets better. I think this
wont be sure until Spain, when at least it will be mid-May. The
forecast shows more and more thunderstorms each day.
Climbed a bit in the morning, steady
but not steep from 573 to 861m. We were heading up the Jaunpass which
peaks at just over 1500m, so we stopped for a little energy lunch
before getting on the piste. We had a secret weapon – a loaf of
Birnbrot (pear bread packed with various varieties of nuts, pears,
raisins, a little bit of schnapps) of that was as dense and heavy as
a bar of lead. Don't know the calorie count but was probably more than
2000. We scoffed that and some drinks and went for it – our second
alp pass in two days.
It was a long climb, 662m in 7km. Great
views at each hairpin, clocking our altitude progress. Even had the
clouds lifting and the views and weather improved as we went. Had
some motivational comments from people on the ascent as well so we
powered up. The last 100m, and we were back in the snow again!
We stopped briefly at the top and
wrapped up warm ready for the cold descent. It's a long and slightly
shallower way down which would take a while.
What was strange was that on the other
side of the pass, we immediately noticed French roadsigns, French car
registrations, and even the houses looked different. The road
condition was worse as well, no more nice yellow cycle lane anywhere.
This was still Switzerland, but definitely the French part, no longer
the Swiss part of Switzerland. A couple of km further on and we were
greeted with our first 'Bonjour', the 'Gruzzi Mitenand' was gone :(
We arrived in Bulle which to be honest
was a bit rough compared to Swiss towns, and had a much more diverse
population, most of whom seemed to be hanging around on the streets. Not a
bad atmosphere, just a shock after the cute Swiss formality. The
hotel was primed for our arrival, and I took the bikes into their
cellar and we moved the luggage to our room. Room was nice, big comfy
bed, free wifi and a WC full of toiletries which went straight in the
washbag.
Hoping weather is better tomorrow! :|
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| Metro bar at the Balmer's Herberge |
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| Birnbrot for lunch! |
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| High... |
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| Higher... |
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| Even higher, but not yet highest :) |
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| Are we at the top yet? |
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| Almost there! |
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| Look behind you. |
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